Illinois Extension Climate Stewards

Climate change is a global issue with community-level solutions

The world is changing, and we're seeing the impacts every day in Illinois. Weather patterns have shifted significantly in the past century, with Illinois dealing with both warmer temperatures and more precipitation. Intense rainfalls have led to increased urban and rural flooding as well as more frequent summer drought stress and the potential for water shortages.

Local actions add up to big impact

The Illinois Extension Climate Stewards program is a course that trains community members to communicate effectively about climate change, activate local collective solutions, and motivate others to join them. Our vision is to build communities and ecosystems that are resilient to the changing climate in Illinois and beyond.

Climate Steward participants will gain:

• An understanding of public opinions and knowledge on climate
• Strategies for navigating the social, psychological and emotional aspects of environmental, conservation, and climate work
• Tools for effectively communicating about climate impacts in Illinois
• Knowledge and skills to get involved in local adaptation, mitigation, and resilience efforts 

Participant Feedback

"The aspect of this program that sets it apart was not the technical information that we were exposed to, which was excellent, it was the sensitive, thought-provoking way that the material was presented. This subject is a delicate one as there are many differing, if not contentious opinions, that have the potential to separate and distract us from understanding the real issues. The class not only presented data in a transparent nonpartisan way, much of the curriculum centered around teaching us to do this. 

I must confess that when I signed up for the program, I had many preconceived ideas about our climate. This experience not only enlightened me, it changed my whole paradigm. The class taught me that it doesn’t matter how much we know about this subject, our success will be measured by how we communicate that knowledge in a way that connects and edifies not by the lectures given or the debates that are ‘won.’ ”

- 2023 program participant 

Illinois Extension Climate Stewards launched in 2024. The course focuses on communication training, participatory science, and empowering participants to learn how to get involved to build climate resilience locally. It combines classroom, online, and field experiences, including visits and discussions with the Illinois State Climatologist, local government leaders across the state, and organizations doing the ground work to build community and ecological resilience. 

• Units 1: Communication and Community Building
  • Topics: Psychological, social, and cognitive science of communication; public opinions and knowledge on climate; effective climate storytelling and communication strategies
• Unit 2: Climate Science and Climate Change in Illinois
  • Topics: Basics of climate change science; climate changes and impacts to IL agriculture, ecosystems, water, energy, and public health; state and local climate policies
• Units 3: Leadership for Local Climate Action
  • Topics: Mitigation and adaptation; identifying local vulnerabilities and resilience-building efforts across different locations and populations;
• Unit 4: Putting Knowledge into Action
  • Topics: Addressing common barriers to climate actions; understanding common climate myths and misunderstandings; community-centered planning

After completing the course, Illinois Extension certifies participants as Climate Stewards and supports participants to stay involved in the IL Climate Steward Network and encourages continued participation in activities ranging from community and participatory science, land and water stewardship, environmental justice and civic engagement, and education and interpretation activities.

The Illinois Extension Climate Stewards curriculum is licensed from University of California, Davis, and has been adapted for the Midwest and Illinois. The program is possible due in part to a gift from Mrs. Jean Bollero Lawyer of Heyworth, toward the purchase of the curriculum.